The Democrats are going to have a huge field of LGBT candidates nationwide this election

It was an excellent night for the LGBTQ community and candidates in Democratic primaries across the country Tuesday night.

Texas Democrats nominated Lupe Valdez, putting her on the path to possibly becoming the nation’s first openly lesbian governor and the first openly LGBTQ person of color to hold statewide office.

Also, Gina Ortiz Jones and Eric Holguin, if elected, will become the first openly LGBTQ Asian American woman and Latinx in Congress, respectively.

Here’s a roundup of some of the successful LGBTQ candidates so far this primary season.

TEXASLupe Valdez: Lupe Valdez became the first openly lesbian gubernatorial nominee of any major party. If elected, she would also be the first openly LGBTQ person of color to serve as governor and the first Latinx to serve as governor of Texas.

Gina Ortiz Jones (TX–23): If elected, Ortiz Jones would be Congress’ first openly LGBTQ woman of color and first openly LGBTQ Asian American woman.

Eric Holguin (TX–27): If elected, Holguin would become Congress’ first openly LGBTQ Latinx congressman and the first openly gay Latinx man in Congress.

Lorie Burch (TX–3): If elected, Burch would be among the first LGBTQ congresswomen from Texas.

Nickie Antonio (SD–23): Antonio became the first openly LGBTQ candidate elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2010. If elected, she will also become the first openly LGBTQ person elected to the Ohio state Senate.

PENNSYLVANIAMalcolm Kenyatta (HD–181): Kenyatta overcame an overtly bigoted smear campaign and if elected, will become the Pennsylvania House’s first openly LGBTQ person of color. Kenyatta also served a delegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention hosted by the DNC.

Daniel Smith Jr. (HD–12):Smith is challenging Republican Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, one of the most anti-LGBTQ state legislators in Pennsylvania, who sued to prevent a gay couple from marrying, introduced legislation banning same-sex marriage and said openly gay Rep. Brian Sims was a “lying homosexual” and “in open rebellion against God.”

OREGONJamie McLeod-Skinner (OR–02): McLeod-Skinner was the first out lesbian elected to the Santa Clara City Council and will be taking on Congressman Greg Walden, former chair of the NRCC. If elected, McLeod Skinner would become the first openly LGBTQ person elected to Congress from Oregon.

NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina Democrats have nominated a candidate in every single legislative district this year, including more LGBTQ people than ever, including: